Category: Pittsburgh Photos

Shitake Logs Explained* (Lentinula edodes)

At the  6th Annual Farm to Table Conference I was fascinated by the Shitake Logs Display. Quiet Creek Herb Farm and School of Country Living was doing a brisk business with just one Shitake Log left to sell.  There were quite a few with SOLD tags on the logs, propped up against a table.  I was shooting unobserved and then noticed and that is how the pose came to be. Got a good laugh and was granted to permission to blog it anyway.  He said, “You didn’t get that did you?” and I said “Yes, I did.”   He didn’t think I was that quick.

A good laugh when he realized I did catch the pose he had struck when he saw my giant lens intruding on his afternoon

And here is the explanation how to to choose a log, choose spawn,inoculate,soak and thump(thumping triggers fruiting), stack, incubate, and harvest.  I will count on Rufus- Shitake and Garlic Scapes and Chicago John’s Dad’s Puffballs (not Shitake) to tell you how best to use them in recipes. Shitake – Lentinula edodes- are originally from Japan.

*(Obviously I don’t really know how to explain Shitake Logs but the kind people at  quiet creek(at)windstream(dot)net   know everything about the process and will be happy to assist you with all your Shitake questions  in addition to herbs, soaps, salves and bags of Worm Wonder for all your worm composting needs.

by Categories: Cooking and Eating, Photography, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Through

About number six on the list of definitions of the word through   – Having finished; at completion

Went to  Farm to Table Conference  (courtesy of Erin Hart, Thank You! and stay tuned for a post tomorrow highlighting the conference)

I ventured out onto the balcony to shoot the bridges, helicopters landing at Allegheny Hospital and the Allegheny River.  At the end of the balcony I found this receptacle filled with items – looked like the people were THROUGH – as in finished- the people who left their cigarettes and soft drinks and beer bottles were definitely THROUGH and they were probably not from the Raw Milk and Organic Fruits and Vegetables crowd.

Not a soul was out there lighting up. But everything seemed in a perfect place in the circle of the trash, an interesting composition.

And-

You know how I enjoy the idea of a garbageologist as a second career.  My mother always said, you can tell a lot about people by their garbage.

And when I turned to go back into the Convention Center, I looked through the window and saw these boys and two male figures, looking out through the windows to see  the Allegheny River.

The Railroad Bridge, plate glass windows, the Allegheny River and reflection. People staring through the windows.

And here are fellow bloggers responses to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Through

Another WPC participant this week is Cardboard Me/ Flat Ruthie is stepping Through a Tart Pan, Sprightly 

by Categories: Photography, Pittsburgh Photos, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 31 Comments

Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 Fundraiser & Steel City Shows

Comedy night fundraiser(there ‘s another show Saturday March 24th  8PM) –  No. 3 Fire Hall, Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department.

I was invited by Matt of Steel City Shows.(the man behind the soundboard, in a suit and tie)

It was a fun evening.

After the comedy show ended,  Firefighter Vinnie gave me a tour of the trucks, Jaws of Life, and the uniforms hanging ready.

Comedians Mike Wysocki  and Joey O’Connell are listed on the site but there were two others who warmed up the crowd, Sean Collier and Mike Travers.

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by Categories: Photography, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 15 Comments

Carmela Baked All These Breads for St. Joseph Feast Day

Tuesday afternoon I met a friend for dinner. We used to teach in the same school but are in different schools across the city now. It was good to catch up.  When we walked into the restaurant,La Tavola Italiana, I could not believe what I saw in front of me!  A St. Joseph Feast spread from the day before.  Later Carmela came out to speak with us about how we were enjoying our dinners and she was taking photos with her iPad to send to her family. She uses the iPad to keep the restaurant calendar for parties and other aspects of her business.

I asked if she made the St. Joseph Cavazunes filled with the chick peas and she said, “NO, they are Calabrese.” She is Sicilian and she makes Zeppoles.

I said that I’d photographed all the bread and would send her the photos but would she like to pose with all her handiwork and she did!  I didn’t notice she put the iPad down onto the cloth in front until I saw it on the computer. She was gracious to allow me to photograph her. NEXT year we have to go to actual feast!  It sounded like a terrific party.

And speaking of party?  Click to hear Chicago John’s Italian Song Selection

by Categories: Baking, Photography, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , 24 Comments

As If “Not Littering” Were/Was(?) Enough….. Which is Correct?

Okay Grammarians. Here’s your chance. I can’t decide which is correct.

1. As if “not littering” were enough to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.

2. As if “not littering” was enough to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.

The more I read them the more I think I should go with- #3 choice-

Is just “not littering” sufficient?

or

“Not littering” isn’t the only thing necessary………

No way to dial a #1-800-Grammar line and find out which is correct.

It’s after eleven PM. The English teachers, working or retired, I know are fast asleep.

Surely someone can help me out with the proper wording of the title.

Maybe it will occur to me in the middle of the night.

Or just check out the sign and don’t worry about my inability to decide.

Shot near Rankin Bridge on Route 837.

This sign is on the entrance to a car junkyard.

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Built in 1870 – Oldest Continuously Operating Incline

Could be a shot for contrast as well. A spot of  color on a dull day. The Monongahela Incline. View from West Carson Street.

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Yes, That’s Crabmeat on the Asparagus- La Cucina Flegrea

V and I went La Cucina Flegrea on Murray Avenue for a decade and then it closed.  We had missed going there for the Spaghetti Arugula and Rigatoni in Vodka Sauce.  J and I took a cooking class there, you might remember that post click here

Well, Chef Anna is back and she was glad to see us. Our first visit to the new place.  She opened last November but it was Laura’s wedding and all.  It was my friend R who told me about this new location.  Here is the website for the new one, complete with menu-La Cucina Flegrea to downtown’s Market Square.  We were celebrating V’s birthday.  Happy birthday V!

We started with the 5 Fagioli soup and then because we ordered the Baccalá with Sweet Onion and Shrimp Sauce, a Mozzarella Wagon with Fresh Tomato sauce came as an appetizer- 4 balls of mozzarella breaded and fried and accompanied by a delicious sauce. Here’s a shot of the Asparagus with all the lovely, succulent crab meat on it.

Dessert was Baba au Ruhm.  Whipped cream and raspberries, a rum sugar sauce. And a cup of hot tea.

It was a happy birthday dinner and we were glad to eat at La Cucina Flegrea again.  Everything was delicious.

La Cucina Special

La Cucina Flegrea in Market Square
The La Cucina FLegrea entrance is the Pumpkin colored awning
by Categories: Cooking and Eating, Night Light in the City, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , , 15 Comments

Elegant and Delicious: Spoon

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A classy restaurant we’ve driven by on a daily basis but never stopped to dine.

Celebrating 19 years- our unanniversary- a solid friendship and steadfast companionship, not sure where all that time has gone but there we were in East Liberty and we headed to SPOON.  

What we ate-   the service was excellent and even though we weren’t ordering up the Foie Gras or the Tasting Menu or a Magnum of Champagne, they treated us hospitably and did not make us feel out of place as we were “walk-ins” and didn’t have reservations which would be a good idea for future visits.

Breadbasket: warm cream cheese chive biscuits/baguette and warm muffins

garden vegetable baby mix green salad: Golden Harvest Farm baby mix greens, fresh garden vegetables, champagne vinaigrette

Spoon burger:  8 oz. Kobe beef, aged white cheddar cheese, parmesan + herb fries, challah bun

Too full for the desserts but they sounded wonderful.

 

by Categories: Cooking and Eating, Night Light in the City, Photography, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , 14 Comments

Find the Magic Chef Gas Ranges Sign

City rooftops from the 22nd floor. Through a hotel window.  Raindrops on the glass.

by Categories: Light in the City, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , , 12 Comments

300-500 Pounds of Potatoes on a Weekend Day – Station Street Hot Dogs and Union Pig and Chicken

Another post for indulge perhaps-

Saturday Steve and I ventured to the “new” hot dog shop just a mile from the house. It had been empty and abandoned for the longest time. The shop was built in the 60’s and the tile inside is almost Harvest Gold, Avocado Green  and Burnt Orange. Saturday it was sparkling clean. Chef Kevin Sousa has opened not one, not two, but THREE new places to eat in the neighborhood! A trifecta, all winners for sure.

  You can read about them in the review right here

Station Street offers French Fries fried in DUCK FAT.  Wash it all down with a  Mexican Coca-Cola (with cane sugar).  We had the New York Dog with sauerkraut and grainy mustard and shared an order of fries.The hot dog had a good flavor and a nice bite to the casing. The music playing was the Temptations and you felt like you were in another decade but with new and fresh food.

See the countertop with the talking hot dogs. Even the rest rooms have a hot dog on the door who look like they can walk and talk.

 I drove by Union Pig and Chicken the other night on the way home and took a shot from the car but have to try the food. They just opened up for business. The menu looks inviting so watch for a post in the near future highlighting the fare.  And number three is Salt of the Earth which has an incredible menu on their link.

Count the baskets of French Fries ready to fry!

You can read a review here

by Categories: Cooking and Eating, Night Light in the City, Pittsburgh PhotosTags: , , , , , , , , , 10 Comments